It all started with having our windows washed at our home in town. Our building was built in 1929 with classic large windows in each room, all of which we have shutters on both the top and bottom, which makes creating the space cozy by closing them in a quick minute. But most of the time we leave the top part open, streaming in tons of glorious light during the day and the twinkle of the downtown buildings at night. It had been quite sometime since we had the outside professionally cleaned, as it involves a bit, actually make that quite a bit, of work by a pro with a big ladder to get the job done. But when they are cleaned, oh my, our hearts sing. Which lead me to polishing hotel silver and moving a bunch of ‘things’ around in the living room & entry way, in the built in shelves & etageres and on a few of the table top surfaces. Which got me thinking about stuff. Objects to me hold history. I am so drawn to old things as I feel they have an energy and history to them. They remind us of travels, gifts from friends, and become a timeline of your life. The afternoon I spent moving things around was like a walk down memory lane. Even though our home is filled with lots of stuff, we edit ruthlessly and only keep objects that have deep meaning to us. By keeping only the things you truly love, even if it is quite a bit, both your eye and heart lands on each and every thing with happiness. Moving, polishing, and cleaning those beloved possessions just reconnects us with them and the memories they evoke.

Our back shelves that house the vintage English hotel silver and Baccarat are filling up in anticipation of our busy Summer months. I always like to try to give my blog readers a first look at things. So many gems. Both hold a very special place in my heart. Hard to beat the feel of a Baccarat glass in your hand or the look of freshly polished hotel silver piece holding a treat you are about to serve. I was asked recently in an e-mail if we sell any of the things I write about. Oh my gosh yes! If a post is tagged Watson Kennedy, most certainly yes. Always feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions on a particular item or give us a jingle at the shop at our toll-free number at 1.800.991.9361. Here are more of those gems…

The concept of redisplay is not all that much different in the shops as it is for all of us in our home. Whether it be a bookshelf or a tabletop, the same thought process I use when doing a display can be interchangeable. In the above case, I did not want an entirely different look. I was just looking to refresh what was already there, by adding some new items and taking away some of what was already there. This also allowed me to dust a bit, as I moved things around. So when all was said and done, it was not only refreshed but it was cleaned–a two in one, in my mind. It can take little to no time at all, but the results can freshen up parts of your home, always a delight as we move into a new year.

What is it about polishing silver that is so therapeutic? Getting lost in the moment and your mind wanders, the sensation and motion creating a sense of calm–of making something tarnished come alive, all shiny, like new. While I quite like the look of a beautiful old piece of tarnished silver and the story of the life it has lived, polishing it up, the zen of that process, is really quite something.

A new shipment of vintage English hotel silver bowls arrived the other day. From the 1940’s to 60’s, these pieces have lived quite a life already. They have been given a second life while being re-silvered and look awesome with a fresh coat. This makes them food-safe, so they are meant to used & enjoyed. Perfectly chic filled with a host of things like nuts and dips and crackers for the cocktail hour. Lovely with a flower floating in it. And my true test of an object is they look divine with nothing in them at all gracing a coffee table or kitchen counter. For information on any of the pieces, always feel free to give us a ring at the shop at 800.991.9361 or shoot us an e-mail at purveyor@watsonkennedy.com

Whether you can them, use in a tart, pickle them, creatively use in a cocktail, or just enjoy looking at the beauties in a silver bowl, the diminutive Seckel pear is in season and if you can get your hands on a few, do. Many vendors at the Hudson Framers Market had cases of the pears, I saw them on Saturday at the Market and yesterday the grocery store had a big basket of the pears–they are out & about in force. Intensely sweet, both in taste and to enjoy visually.

Incredibly excited to report that we are now showing the sublime works of Seattle artist, Jeanne McKay Hartmann. Funny how life works. Jeanne has been a customer of Watson Kennedy almost since day one. I remember seeing her smiling face pop in and do a little shopping when she worked at Nordstrom and the Market shop first opened. Fast forward to now. She is also a dear friend with my lovely friend Elizabeth who was just visiting us from Rye, New York. Elizabeth is who writes the uber stylish blog Pretty Pink Tulips. I have long admired Jeanne’s work and asked her if she would consider doing pieces for the shop. She has put together pieces that have a very WK feel–with Veuve, scented geranium, Mariage Freres tea, tulips, tomatoes, sea shells and hotel silver a prevailing theme. A few of the vignettes are from things I posted on the blog or my Instagram feed, which tickles me to no end. Oh my, I was a tad light headed when she brought them all in the other day. Truly, just incredibly special works.

OK, here is the skinny. These are one of a kind works, but Jeanne can paint another/more if we sell out of one, that will look very similar. I did a quick IG post yesterday and we have already sold 2 of the Veuve bottles. She is making another 6 for me. The frames are a little over 8 inches by 10 inches. Each piece sells for $295. If one interests you, shoot me an e-mail at tedkennedywatson@watsonkennedy.com or give us a ring during shop hours at 800.991.9361. We are thrilled & honored to have her work grace our walls, as a temporary home until they find their permanent one.

I am very excited to report that a new shipment of vintage hotel silver pedestal bowls has arrived. This bowl is just such a great shape & size. We have one in town as well as Hawthorne and I use it every chance I can. Looks pretty fetching naked just left out on the coffee table or kitchen counter when not called into action too. We use this bowl to hold a generous amount of crackers or baguette slices when we are serving cheese. It holds a good amount of popcorn when we are wanting a snack while reading. I even float a bloom or two in it when the dining table calls. One of our most versatile hotel silver bowls. This round they are from The Savoy, which we have had stock of before and love, as well as Claridge’s and The Connaught. Each is marked with the hotel name, which makes it extra special. If these bowls could talk, what tales they would tell.

A small container of truffle butter is a simple luxury to have at the ready in your fridge that does not break the bank. A few dollops tossed with pasta makes for a luxurious meal. A bit put on top of popcorn turns an ordinary treat into a memorable treat.

Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.

— Haley from New York

Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.

— Newell Turner, Editor in Chief at House Beautiful

Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!

— Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook

Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.

— Kaye Wellman, author Eat, Shop, Seattle

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.

— Uncle Beefy at thebedlamofbeefy.com

I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.

— Apartment Therapy

I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!

— Marlien on Facebook

The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.

— Town & Country

#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift

— Howard Slatkin on Instagram

Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.

— Blog reader Kris

We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.